Interesting topic here.

I think the issue is that Ridley is actively recruiting these kids (as mentioned by one of their coaches in the paper) and have a mandate and perhaps as a private instittution a right to do so.

With the new facility on the way I am sure that the admin have told coaches and athletic directors to ramp up the search for new talent and have established a significant budget to do so.

If we were in the States they would never be competing against non private schools as they are not restrained by the same recruiting restrictions.

Over the last two years alone we have seen three quality players from Latvia ( two are now gone) and one from the Bahahmas added to the team. I would suggest this is only the beginning. If these kids are paying full pop and are not being recruited is a different story and this is definatley not the case as confirmed by the coach.

They have also been actively recruiting younger talent into their lower schools which is a definate no no for all other local schools.

It is something to consider now and not later. Some people have been concerned prior to now. The Standard title certainly brings the issue to the forefront. Hockey coaches have been complaining for years now that even immeiately after games their players have been approached by Ridley.

I feel that they really are not doing anything unethical it is just perhaps time to have them compete only against like schools. How do you think other A schools would feel having to compete with them at the Ofsaa level. Don't you think Thorold and Ridley are a little different in terms of population?

I guess we will have to wait and see. It would be a shame to see a number of new player come (they never arrive in grade 9 it seems and also seem to be in a grade one year lower than their age suggests) and go on a yearly basis where other schools are trying to develop the talent that attends their school from the beginning.

Wow. I didn't realize anyone cared so much until the Tigers got decent.

I don't care one way or the other just an interested spectator.....the question was top kids in the region, Ridley has a few.

Finally, Ridley has had students from all over the world attend their school since their inception and when I attended in the 60's. Of course they recruit students, unfortunately it's not free. Are you telling me that every other successful programme in the region doesn't recruit and that the boards of education make kids attend the school closest to their home???

any of these guys going to play cis next year? doubtful

No one cares that much now but watch out if they continue to bring in more talent. Sure Ridley has had International students for as long as I can remember but the focus has now shifted to actively searching out ones who are skilled at sports.

Outside of Rowing, it seems Ridley's focus on sports was in more of an extrcurricullar type of emphasis until lately.

In order to continue to bring in students the admin has realised the importance of having excellent sports teams ( a correct decision ) and they have vast resources to do so. I believe they have a recruiting budget and coaches are encouraged and instructed to search out players.

This comes right from the coaches mouth ("we recruited him out of the Bahamas "and is not hearsay. Sure other schools have recruited certain players from the Niagara Region in the past but to compare the two situations is a little naive I think.

Again, there is nothing unethical going on here , the issue becomes a level playing field. Other private institutions do the same thing and they should most likely play each other exclusively outside of some exhibition play if public schools choose to do so.

TAT--your history of local basketball seems to be limited. For years Simcoe seemed to get transfers--from, Crossley, Myer, Lakeport,
and Niagara District, SWC--and these kids always bent the rules. Why not institute a four year rule like the states and eliminate these 5 year kids that seem to thrive at certain schools and level the playing field. The successful teams seem to have 5 year players year after year. If my knowledge of school size is correct then Ridley is single A and most of the other schools are much larger. I also believe that Ridley was instrumental in initiating the Standard tourney and have not won since the first year. I imagine they have had the same admission rules since.

Wow


Simcoe, DM, St. Francis don't recruit. Cold day in hell that does not happen.